Vales heard about the school through a fellow foundation member, and as soon as she retired, she got to work on Monarch’s behalf. She now does algebra tutoring and helps run “Shopping Day,” in which Monarch kids are outfitted with donated clothes, shoes and the priceless gift of confidence.

“Some of these kids have the most awful clothes or clothes that just don’t fit. Their shoes are held together by rubber bands,” Vales said. “When you’re a kid, you just want to look like everybody else, and if you can give them something simple like clean socks or clothes that fit, it helps reduce anxiety and stress so they can focus on something else.”

In her spare time, Vales likes to do yoga and get in some urban hiking. But what she really likes to do is work with the passionate women she respects and admires and work for the kids who need her. As retirement schedules go, it’s a full one. And Vales likes the way it all adds up.

“I have the time. I had a successful career, and now it’s my turn to give back. And it’s fun,” she adds. “That’s how I get paid.”